"French and German baddies (1998) - Cauldron (novel)" Topic
10 Posts
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Silent Pool | 26 Nov 2016 5:47 a.m. PST |
Anyone read it? Anyone gamed it? Do you want to? Economic upheaval around the world in the early 1990s becomes an opportunity for France and Germany to consolidate their power in Europe through an alliance called the European Confederation or EurCon. However, it is a continental partnership in name only; France provides the political power with the Germans carrying economic muscle. The instability and the countries' differences with the United States causes the dissolution of NATO in 1996. The main plot takes place in 1998. Because North African immigrants are flooding Europe looking for work, riots in France and Germany prompts both countries to force a number of former Warsaw Pact nations to accept them in various factories. The first of these is a Eurocopter plant in Hungary. To further ensure subservience to EurCon, military governments take over in several countries. Russian Army forces launch a coup in Moscow as well and put the president under house arrest. Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia stand up against EurCon, which gradually deploys combat troops to their borders. France also negotiates with Russia to stop natural-gas shipments to Poland. The United States comes in to support Poland by sending an LNG tanker to Gdańsk; French operatives blow it up in the harbor. The US Navy starts sending armed convoys to force a breakthrough of the Baltic Sea and keep the supply lines open. French oppression in Eastern Europe comes to a head in May 1998 when a people's uprising in Budapest results in the regime's collapse. Seeing the turmoil as a potential harbinger for unrest, France orders military forces to subjugate the Hungarians days later; however, the Hungarian Army slows down the French assault. …start gaming. link |
Frederick | 26 Nov 2016 7:56 a.m. PST |
It certainly sounds like great gaming |
Generalstoner49 | 26 Nov 2016 9:19 a.m. PST |
I thought this book was excellent and gives gaming ideas galore. Not just limited to ground action, the naval battles in the book are good as are the commando actions. |
Kevin C | 26 Nov 2016 9:35 a.m. PST |
I don't think I would enjoy gaming these scenarios. As an American, I would feel a little uncomfortable thinking of the French as the bad guys. Sure Americans might tell jokes about the French on occasion, but only in the sense that one pokes fun at a brother who slightly annoys you on occasion. For me, at least, I could never consider the French a true enemy. |
Prince Alberts Revenge | 26 Nov 2016 10:38 p.m. PST |
Back when i still read fiction on a regular basis, I read this and Vortex. Loved them both but can barely remember much of the plots of either. As I recall from my fading memory, I enjoyed both immensely. I never had the itch to wargame either. As an aside, around this time I remember reading another fiction novel about a US invasion of Mexico in the 90s which had something to do with the Mexican government and the Narco armies. Can't recall the titles, book was okay but some good gaming potential. |
Fatman | 26 Nov 2016 11:41 p.m. PST |
Prince Alberts Revenge Trial by Fire by Harold Coyle, author of Team Yankee, the third in the "Scott Dixon" series of novels. Both Coyle and Bond wrote very good thrillers and I have wargamed scenarios based both. Funnily enough while I really enjoyed Trial by Fire it didn't move me to wargame it. Cauldron on the other hand is why I have F-15's with Polish markings. Also I think I had a scenario published in the SoTCW Journal based on the book. Fatman PS Check out Bonds Red Phoenix if you want some good "what if" material.
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Prince Alberts Revenge | 27 Nov 2016 4:16 a.m. PST |
Trial of Fire, that was definitely it! I remember the book cover. Thanks for the assist there Fatman. |
JMcCarroll | 27 Nov 2016 1:40 p.m. PST |
" French oppression in Eastern Europe comes to a head in May 1998 when a people's uprising in Budapest results in the regime's collapse. Seeing the turmoil as a potential harbinger for unrest, France orders military forces to subjugate the ns days later; however, the Hungarian Army slows down the French assault." Just to make sure, we are talking about French military in the 20th century. What makes you think they could send even a battalion to Hungary. Still an interesting idea. |
Fatman | 27 Nov 2016 4:46 p.m. PST |
JMcCarroll The book is set in an alternative "future". link While far from perfect (It's a very American view on European affairs.) the book is, or rather was, just believable enough. Certainly more than some of Clancy's "President Ryan" stuff. Fatman |
Dave Jackson | 28 Nov 2016 12:43 p.m. PST |
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